Superstars Kaka, Ricardo Quaresma and Adrian Mutu will each make their Serie A debuts this weekend, while Roma captain Francesco Totti may still be watching from the sidelines.
Kaka is ready to return from a knee injury that kept him out of AC Milan’s opening-round loss to Bologna, while Quaresma was only signed by Inter Milan on the final day of the transfer window — a day after the three-time defending league champs were held to a 1-1 tie by Sampdoria. Mutu missed Fiorentina’s opening draw with Juventus due to an elbow injury. Meanwhile, Milan plays at Genoa, Inter hosts Catania and Fiorentina visits violence-plagued Napoli.
Totti has a minor ankle problem and Roma coach Luciano Spalletti may not want to risk him ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League opener with Romanian side CFR Cluj.
Roma drew 1-1 with Napoli in its opener two weeks ago and visits Palermo, which made a coaching change after only one round, hiring Davide Ballardini to replace Stefano Colantuono.
Juventus hosts Udinese, which beat Palermo 3-1 to start the season with two goals from Antonio Di Natale, who again scored twice in Italy’s 2-1 win over Cyprus last Saturday in World Cup qualifying.
The biggest surprise of the opening round was Milan’s loss to Bologna. Ronaldinho played well in his debut at the San Siro, but he had little help. That could change with the return of Kaka, who said he felt good during a friendly with Lugano on Wednesday.
“I’ve got a lot of work to do before I’m in top condition. But I don’t have any pain and that’s the most important thing,” Kaka told reporters.
Milan is still plagued by injury problems. Midfielder Gennaro Gattuso could miss up to five games after hurting his wrist with the national team and striker Filippo Inzaghi injured his thigh against Lugano.
Quaresma became the most expensive transfer in Italy during the summer transfer window when he was signed for $35 million from FC Porto. Inter coach Jose Mourinho plans to use the winger immediately in a forward line that will probably feature Julio Cruz and former Roma striker Amantino Mancini.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic may be rested after World Cup qualifying with Sweden. Inter starts its Champions League campaign at Panathinaikos on Tuesday.
Fans of Catania, coached by former Inter goalkeeper Walter Zenga, will be barred from the San Siro under government-enforced anti-violence measures.
In Naples, both ends of the stadium behind the goals will be closed. Fiorentina supporters will also be barred from the match, which will come under close scrutiny after Napoli fans rioted on a train to Rome during the opening weekend.
Fiorentina will be at full strength with Mutu lining up in attack alongside Alberto Gilardino, who scored a late equalizer against Juventus. Mutu led Fiorentina with 17 goals in Serie A last season.
While Totti’s fitness remains in doubt, Roma can rely on the splendid Daniele De Rossi, who scored both goals in Italy’s 2-0 victory on Wednesday over Georgia.